The world-class research carried out at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) has once again been recognised at this year’s awards of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ). Two of its group leaders have been honoured for their excellence and outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.
Prof. Pablo Ballester: A lifetime dedicated to supramolecular chemistry
Professor Pablo Ballester, ICIQ Group Leader and ICREA Professor, has been awarded the “Distinguished Career” prize, which recognises an exceptional and sustained scientific trajectory. With more than two decades leading his research group, Ballester is a recognised authority in the design of molecular receptors.
His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, with particular emphasis on the development of molecular containers that can encapsulate other molecules with high precision and accelerate reactions under confinement with enzyme-like efficiency. These contributions could open up future important applications in areas such as molecular sensing, catalysis, and the development of new diagnostic tools.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition from the RSEQ. I receive it with gratitude as an acknowledgment not only of my own work, but also of the dedication and talent of the students, postdoctoral researchers, and collaborators who have accompanied me throughout these years in developing our research in supramolecular chemistry,” said Prof. Ballester.
Prof. José A. Berrocal: Leading the future of smart materials
In the emerging talent category, Professor José A. Berrocal has been awarded the “Young Investigator” prize in the Group Leader category. This recognition highlights his ability to lead innovative research lines and his growing prominence within the European chemistry landscape.
Also an ICREA Professor at ICIQ, Berrocal leads a research group working at the interface of organic chemistry and materials science. His work focuses on the development of functional polymers and stimuli-responsive materials capable of changing their properties in response to external triggers such as light. These advances are key to enabling more sustainable technologies and self-healing materials.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the RSEQ. It reflects not only individual achievement, but above all the collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary approach that have shaped our research group in a relatively short time. I am especially proud to pursue this work with our students and postdocs, and I see this award as a strong encouragement to push the frontiers of smart polymer materials even further”, said professor Berrocal.
With a strong international track record, Berrocal has consolidated his group in Tarragona, where he leads high-impact projects funded by competitive agents such as the European Research Council.
ICIQ: A hub for excellence and talent attraction
These new recognitions further consolidate ICIQ’s position as a leading centre for knowledge generation and scientific talent attraction. The combination of established excellence and emerging leadership contribute to place Catalan chemistry at the forefront of both the national and international scientific landscape.
These achievements once again demonstrate the effectiveness of the collaborative model between ICREA and CERCA centres as a driving force for high-level research and scientific innovation.
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